The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-14
The Pennsylvania Platform.

The Democratic State Convention of
Pennsylvania adopted, as might have
been supposed from the conflicting
opinions of its trainers, mosaic plat
form, so far it relates to the revenue
question, as follows:
FlRsT-That we renew our allegiance to
the principles and declarations OF the
platform adopted at Chicago in 1884, which
Mr. Cleveland, the nominee of the party +,
heartily indorsed, declaring in his letter of
acceptance II have carefully considered
the platform adopted by the Convention
and cordially approve the same; so pain
a statement of Democratic faith and the
principles upon which that party appeals
to the suffrages of The people needs no sup
plement or explanation" To these prin-
ciples he has faithfully adhered in all his
public utterances, and, in view of the ex-
listing condition OF the public Treasury,
we demand with emphasis that the large
surplus already in the Treasury shall be
used to pay the public debt and that the
current and unnecessary increase going on
beyond the needs of government shall be
Immediately prevented by wise and
prudent reduction of internal taxation and
d
the foregoing declarations.
Construed by Mr.. Cleveland's recon-
mendations, this resolution means that
Congress should reduce taxation first by
cutting down the tariff on the neces-
saries of life, and last, (if there should
be a surplus) by reduction of the
whisky and tobacco tax. Interpreted
by Mr.. Randall's course in Congress, it
means that the oppressive tax on the
necessaries of life should be left severe
ly alone, and that the whisky and
tobacco tax should be taken off
The Baltimore Sun, moderate Demo-
cratic paper, hits the nail on the head,
in saying: "The Pennsylvania Demo
Gratis harmonized to an unexpected ex-
tent yesterday on the question of tax
reduction, Mr.. Randall not being able
to dictate as usual the language of the
platform on that topic, but still getting
in enough to save him from the disgrace
of distinct and entire defeat. 1t is evil
dent. however, from the very fact that
he no longer has his way that the Ran
dali idea has lost its once all potent
charm for the Pennsylvania Demo-
crazy"
As Pennsylvania gave Mr.. Blaine
$4,000 majority in 1884, and is not esti
mated among the Democratic States by
the mildest calculators, the only signifi-
canoe that can be attached to the plat
form is its indication of the course of
the Randall contingent in the next
Congress. What the indication really
is we will leave to others shrewder than
ourselves, to surmise.
But here is one plank in the platform
which has the ring of old Jerry Black
of blessed memory, and which we can
all endorse:
We still hold to the ancient doctrine OF
the party that the preservation OF the
rights of the people demands that we
should look with jealousy upon monopolies
and restrict corporate power within its
proper sphere, and we heartily approve
the action OF the National Administration
in retaining and throwing open to the
people for settlement loo, 900 900 acres of
lands, which through article and fraud
were wrongfully held by corporations, hav-
ing been forfeited to the people by failure
to comply with the conditions OF the
grants.